MAN'S BODY DUMPED IN WHEELIE BIN

The body of a "frail and vulnerable" man was left dumped in a wheelie bin, police have said.

Owen Creaney, 40, was found dead in the bin at the back of a house in Craigavon, Co Armagh, yesterday.

A 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman arrested at the property in the wake of the discovery remain in police custody being questioned today.

Detectives said it appeared Mr Creaney, who required a walking frame or stick to move around, was subject to a "serious and sustained" assault.

The victim lived at Victoria Place in Lurgan. He was found at the rear of a property at Moyraverty Court in nearby Craigavon.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Campbell, the PSNI officer leading the murder investigation, said: "Police were called to 140 Moyraverty Court in Craigavon yesterday afternoon after a report of suspicious activity at the address.

"When officers arrived they found the body of Owen Creaney. It had been placed in a wheelie bin in a porch at the rear of the house.

"Two people in the house were arrested. They are a 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman. They were taken initially to Lurgan police station but have since been transferred to the Serious Crime Suite at Antrim police station where they continue to be questioned.

"A post-mortem examination is taking place at the moment so the cause of death has yet to be determined, but early indications are that he was the victim of a serious and sustained assault."

Mr Campbell made two specific appeals for information.

"I need to talk to anyone who saw or heard a disturbance or suspicious activity at 140 Moyraverty Court any time between last Wednesday afternoon 2 July and yesterday afternoon, Saturday 5 July," he said.

"I also need to talk to anyone who saw or spoke with Owen during that same period, last Wednesday 2 July and yesterday afternoon.

"Our inquiries are progressing. We are following a number of definite lines of inquiry but we would ask the local community for their assistance and co-operation.

"Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number 101 and ask to speak to detectives at Lurgan police station.

"I would hope that the community would be rightly disgusted by the attempt to conceal Owen's body after this brutal murder.

"Owen was 40. In fact, he celebrated his 40th birthday last Saturday, 28 June. He was a frail and vulnerable man. Although he was only 40 he had significant mobility issues which meant he required the aid of a walking frame or stick to get about.

"I think it is important for the community to reject this violent assault on Owen and contact police with any information which they have."